It’s time for the annual Fourth of July celebration. For many families, it’s a fun few days of cookouts, parades and fireworks. For too many cats, it’s a stressful and potentially dangerous time.

There are so many things that make the Fourth of July celebration a difficult time for cats. Extra company and people coming and going put your cat at risk for getting outside. The neighborhood and community fireworks also add to the stress. If you think about pet safety in advance, your cat should have a safe holiday. Here are some tips.

Keep your cat indoors – It’s always best to keep your cat indoors. However, if you do have an indoor/outdoor cat, keep him or her inside for a few days before the Fourth of July through a few days after. Even the most street savvy cat could become disoriented by the extra noise generated from fireworks, neighborhood parties and parades.

Other outdoor hazards for your pet include the extra traffic and people who may try to harm pets by tossing firecrackers at them. Discarded food and fireworks also could be dangerous to them. Unfortunately, July 5 is often a busy day at veterinary clinics with panicked and injured cats. If your cat is inside, his or her chances greatly improve for a safe holiday.

Set up a safe room or zone for your cat – If you are expecting company, it’s easy for a cat to slip out when people are frequently coming and going. One way to focus on pet safety is to set up a room for your cat that has bedding, food, water and litter to keep him or her out of the mix. Check on your cat throughout the day.

Use distractions – You cat could still be stressed in a safe room. Make sure you have interactive playtime and leave toys for a diversion. Consider playing music or leaving the TV on during fireworks and Fourth of July celebrations to buffer the noise.

Stress remedies – Some pheromone therapies work for some cats. If Comfort Zone has worked well in the past, plug in the diffuser in your cat’s safe room or any room your cat spends a lot of time. Thundershirt makes a cat version of their product that helps calm cats. Do not medicate your cat unless you’re working with your vet.

If your cat is very stressed by fireworks and Fourth of July Celebrations, someone may need to stay home with kitty to keep your pet safe.

Keep your cat on a consistent diet – Feed your cat or cats the same diet you always do to prevent an upset stomach. There is a long list of people food that can either upset your cat’s stomach or may be toxic. That list includes – avocados, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives and milk. Raw and undercooked meat and eggs are also a danger.

Keep dangerous items out of your kitty’s reach – For a safe holiday, keep matches, lighters, charcoal fluid, citronella candles, glowsticks and used fireworks out of your cat’s reach. Also, beware of pesticides and yard products that could be a danger to pet safety.

Make sure your cat has updated identification – No matter what you do to keep your pet safe, sometimes they do get out. The Fourth of July holiday is the number one holiday for lost pets. Make sure your cat has a registered microchip and wears a collar with your information clearly listed including an updated cell phone number. Take an updated digital photo as well. The number one reason strays are not reunited with families is that they lack any identification to get reconnected.

Northern Illinois Cat Clinic is a full service cat-only veterinary clinic that has been providing exceptional cat care with state-of-the-art technology since 1982. Their goal is to make your cat feel at home in their comfortable, safe and loving environment. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has recently certified the Northern Illinois Cat Clinic as a Cat-Friendly Practice. Learn more at online at http://northernilcatclinic.com, visit them at 295 Peterson in Libertyville, or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NorthernIllinoisCatClinic..